Safety razor



l. N. ZELLER Aug. 30, 1932.

SAFETY RAZOR -Filed Dec. 2s. '1927 Patented Aug. 30, 1932 i UNITED STATES mama-aai ,l

A IsAIAn N.v ZELLER, orNEW YORK, N. Y.,1 AssIGNon To AMERICAN SAFETY Ritzen. don, p roRATIoN, on BnooKitYN, NEW YORK, A CoRroRAToN F VIRGINIA i snrn'rv nAzon f Application 'mea n'ebembef 2s, 1927. serial No. 242,061.

My present invention relates generally V`to razors and to blades therefor, andmore particularly to the .type of razor designed for employment with wafer type blades.

One object of the present ,invention is to provide an arrangement wherein a selected blade may be associated `with the holder in a manner, which will always position-the blade `in the proper predetermined relation- 't ship with respect to the guard. Y

Although I have herein illustrated an shall hereinafter speciiically describe adevice employed with a double-'edged blade, nevertheless it will be understood that as to certain phases of my invention, a singleedged` blade of asimilar Vcharacter may be employed with equal facility and eiiiciency.

Itis a well-recognized fact that any deviation from the proper predetermined positional relationship of a cutting edge with the guard of a razor holder will result in inefficient shaving. Obviously, therefore, there '1s a decided advantage in the type of razor eX-` empliii'ed by the Eveready and the Gem wherein blade stops are associated with the guard edge Vin a predetermined manner so that the cutting `edge, when brought to bear against these stops, will be properly positioned along the theoretical line of maximum shaving efficiency.

Where double-edged blades are employed, and `the* feasibility ofiadvancing the `cutting edge by pressing upon the rear or opposite, edge of the blade is lessened, because of the ifi adverse affectupon the inoperative cutting edge, the proper positioning of the -blade presents different problems. In the type wherein the positioningis effected by an engagement between pins upon the'razor saddle or blade seat on the one hand, and complementar-y openings or holes through the blade on the other hand, the possibility is greatly increased of having certain blades position' themselves properly and otherblades improperlv. For example, the 'openings may not be punched through the blade in a strictly accurate-manner, and accordingly, one or both of the cutting edges will not assume the proper position upon the blade seat when the l pins of the blade seat are passed through theseJ holes. Or, even assumingy that the holes. through the blade are properly located, the

processing of the blade edges to provide cut'- ting edges vthereof :may give rise to irregularities and non-uniformity Uresulting inthe same defective positioning.

An important objectV of the present inven tion is to provide a razorholder, and a blade for use therewith, wherein certain oftheadvantageous characteristics of` *the doubleedged type of blade and holder are retained,

while certain of the disadvantageous characteristics .exemplified above are obviatedgl also, wherein certain of the `advantageous characteristics of the single-edged type, such: as uniformly.' proper positioning, lare retained, while the disadvantageous character-, istics, such as pressing directlyfagainstthe,

rear edge'of the blade, are rendered absent.

While the` razor holder and the -razorblade each presents certain vinherent advantages of its own, yet the efficiency ofthe razor devicescribed is employed with a holder of the-chary acterillustrated and described. It isaccordingly an objectoi' the ,present invention to construct the razor holder in such'a manner that onlythat type of blade may be used therewith which `is hereinv disclosedi and Y which results in said maximum er'flic'iency.`

Other objects of myinvention he 1n providing a device vwherein-the4 positioning of Y the blade is effected by means .of frontb-lade stops of a particudlar character, the arrangement being such that 'the effective length of use with a particular ltype of holder of any v blade other than that intended therefor and capable of achieving maximum* efficiency when .used therewith; and in providing generally a new and improved razor holderpandv a new and improved blade for employment therewith.

One of the features of my inventin lies in 7.0 herein to be fully illustrated andfdescribed providing a wafer-'type blade having beveled side edges, and a razor holder provided with blade stops adapted to cooperate lwith said beveled side edges for properly positionving the operative edge over the guard edge.

More particularly, it is a feature of my invention to provide beveled blade stops in predetermined associa-tion with the guard edge for receivingthe beveled side edges of the blade in wedged relationship therebetween.

Another feature of my invention lies in providing a blade of the foregoing character which is symmetrical about an axis parallel to its front and rear edges, thereby rendering the blade reversible; and in providing a holderso designed as to receive a blade in proper predetermined relationship, resulting in maximum efficiency, in either normal or reversed position;V Y i More particularly, itA is afeature of my invention to provide a razor holder for use with a double-edged wafer-type blade, symmetrical about an Vaxis parallel to the cutting edges/,wherein blade 'stops associated illustrated and described, I disclose 'an arrangement of a holder wherein the blade-advancing means are. associated lwith the blade seat itself.- The holder is of such a character, and the stops Aand blade-engaging-members arey soconstructed and arranged that blades of. the double edge type can be associated therewith without in any way adversely affectiin'g; the functioning either of the razor orV ofthe blade. The disclosure herein is therefore of a doubleedged blade although, asv

Will be understood,` it is not necessary that bothfedgesof the' blade be sharpened.

t Forthe attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may'hereinafter appear orbe pointed out, I have constructed a device embodying the features of my invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which-- Fig. 1 is an elevational'vi'ew of a holder having a double-edged blade associated therewith in completely assembled relationship and ready for use; c

Fig. 2' is a view similar to Figure 1, a portion thereof being shown in cross-section, and

the blade seat being shown in an adjusted position; y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blade seat of Figure 1, a portion of the blade being broken away to disclose the seat underneath; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-'sectional view taken substantially along the line l--llof Figure 3.

. part of the blade seat is pivotally associated with the part or section 14 as by means of a hinge arrangement 16 extending across vthe entire composite seat and substantially adjustable from the normal blade-accommodating position of Figure 1 to the adjusted or angularl position of Figure 2. In other Words, vthe blade seat section 15 is movable into and out of the plane of the composite seat, the purpose of this inovability being explained hereinafter.

To permit of the foregoing adjustment, the sleeve 13 is provided with an opening 17 in one side of the upper portion thereof so that when the handle 10 is screwedV upwardly, the end 12 will become exposed in said opening. Along the middle of the section 15, and' perpendicular to the hinge axis 16 is a depending rib or cam follower 18 having a contour similar to the letter V with the apex of the V rounded and one of the arms of the V considerably shorter than the other. More particularly, upon referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the surface 19, constituting one arm of the V, extends do-wnwardly from a point adjacent to the hinge axis 16; this surfaceA then curves back upon itself to form a rounded V apex 20, and it continues then alongV a gradually sloping surface 21 toward the outer edgeof the section 15.

'When the holder is in normal position as shown in Figure 1, the surface of the conical end 12 engages with. the rounded apex 20 and retains the seat section 15 in its normal position, in the plane of the composite seat.v

When the handle 10 is unscrewed, the head 12 will be lowered into the position of Figure 2; the section 15 may then be swung downwardly into the position of Figure 2, and it will be noted that the apex 2O will ride over the rounded apex of the end 12. In the position of Figure 2,y a screwing up of the handle 10 will cause the apex of the end 12 to bear against the surface 21 initiating the upward movement of the section 15; presently the apex 20 will ride over the apex of the end 12, and-thereafter the latter will bear against this apex Vand force theseat section into the position of Figure 1.

towards each cutting edge.. More'particu` larly, it will be noted that a set of beveled side portions 25 converge toward the cutting edge 23, whereas a set of beveled side portions 26 converge-toward the` cutting V edge 24. The blade shown is therefore substan-y tionally` hexagonal, although it may with vequal facility be made octagonal,if desired,

the:` eXtra two edges of the octagonybeing arrangedat the junction of the side portions ever, for the reason that the blade need not be reversed in order to render both of its cut- Y ting edges operative.

The seat section 14y is provided with a guard edge 27 underlying the cutting edge 23,1and the seat section 15 is provided with af guard edge 27 underlying they cutting edge ,y

24. On opposite sides of the guard 27, I provide upstanding `blade-engaging flanges 28 which converge toward the edge 27 so as i" to receive the convervinr sides of the D D blade 22 therebetween in wedged relationship.` In the form illustrated the flanges 28 are doubled back upon themselves to provide channels, whereby the vblade is insertable edgewise thereunder and `therebetween. Theflanges28 are so constructed and arranged as to serve as front blade stops of the character typical of the sor-called Everready type of razor; but ity will be noted that instead of engaging opposite portions of the front cutting edge, they engage the converging sides adjacent to the cutting edge. Gne of the functions of the flanges 2S is to assure the proper positioningy of the cutting edge 2.3 with respect to the guard 27. In other' words, if the proper blade is inserteclbetween the flanges 2S and forced into wedged relationship therebetween, the

. cutting edge 23 will automaticallyassume the proper, predetermined p position overv the 1 guard 27 which results in maximum shaving efliciency. v

Associated with the seat sectien'l I provide converging blade-engaging members `29 similar tol the flanges 28 and engageable with the other set 26 of the beveled sides. The flanges 29 are preferably in the form of springs, as shown more clearly in Figure 4;

, and theyengage the beveled side portions 26 in wedged relationship therebetween. The latter engagement serves not only to advance the blade toward the guard 27, but it also.

serves to retain the blade upon the seat in proper position. Furthermore, if the proper blade is associated with the holder, the en- Ato its normal position of Figure 1.

gagement referred to,`iz.e., between the flanges 29 and the bevels- 26, will at the same time position the cutting edge 24 along the proper theoretical line .with respect to the `guard edge28. Y I WVhen the device is employed,- theV section 15v is lowered' into the positionof Figure 2. The proper blade is then inserted edgewise between the flanges 28. Thereupon, ythe handle 10 is screwed-upwardly andthe bladeseat section 15 will gradually approach 'and ultimately reach the normal position ofFigure 1.r During this upward movement of the section 15, rthe resilient flanges 29 will'engage the bevels 26, snapping over them and holding the blade firmly in proper position upon the-composite seat. Y ik In Figure 4, the full line representation of the blade 22 represents its relationship to the flanges A29 during the upward movement of the section l5; and the dot and dash line rep-y resentation of the blade 22 represents Vits Y relationship to the flanges 29 Vand the seaty section-15 after the latter has been brought It will be obvious that the provision-of a cutting edge 24 is optional. 'If the cutting edge is omitted, the blade will be technically.

a single-edged blade, yet thel device will'opcrate with the same efficiency'andffacility 95 Similarly, although I haveA shown al symmetrica-l blade, such symmetry is not essenl tial, just so loing asftheffiajnges 29 are properly designed to engage with the bevels 26, and thev flanges 28 are properly designed to 100 engage with'the bevels-25.' Obviously,'how ever, if fthe blade is symmetrical, the blade may, if desired, be reversed, so aste position the edge 244 overV the guard edge 27, although such reversal is als amatt-er of fact unnecessarv and vuncalled for'by the nature ofthe device. v

It will benoted that the entire'device iS- extremelysimple, compact, and easy to employ. lIt embodies a number ofthe advantageous characteristics of the type of razor which locates the blade by holes therein while at the saine time the disadvantageous characteristics accompanying the coinpletedependenceffor ldcatio'n upon such holes'in the blade, have been obviated. Among these ad" vantages is the adaptability ofthe razor to the employment of a double edged blade therein. Fuithermore,the proper positioning of the blade is always secured, provided the properblade'is employed. It will beV obvious that changes in the de-l tails herein described and illustrated for the purpose ofexplaining thenature of myinvention may be made by those skilled 'in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope ofthe invention as expressed in the ap-V pended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as-illustrative and not in al limiting sense. l `r i Ymi Having thus described invention and illustrated its use,fwhat I claim as new and desire to `secure by Letters Patent is 1. A razor blade holder comprising la composite blade seat, said seat including two mutually pivoted parts each of which is provided witha guard edge, and a setof converging blade-engaging anges associated with one of said parts. 1

2. A razor blade holder comprising a composite blade seat, said seat'including two mutuallylpivoted parts each of which is provided with a guard edge, anda set'of converging bl'ade-engaging flanges associated with one of said parts, and means for pivoting one ofsaid blade seat parts with respect to the other, said means comprising a lugcarried by one of said parts, an adjustable handle for the blade seat and means operable upon adjustment of the handle with respect to the blade seat for cooperating with said lug to move said part.

3. In combination with `a. double edged wafer-type razor blade having opposite sets of beveled side edges each set converging toward the adj acentcutting edge, a razor blade holder comprising a' blade seat having a guard edge, blade-engaging members associated with the seat at opposite ends of the guard edge, and adapted to receive a set of said beveled side edges between them in vwedged relationship to limit the positioning ofi-the front blade edge over the guard edge,

' and'means engaging the set of said beveled side edges toward the rear thereof for preventing retractive movement-.of the blade and'thereby securing it in proper position.

4. In combination with a double-edged wafer-type blade having side edges beveled so as to converge toward each cutting edge, a razor blade holder comprising a blade seat having a guard edge, blade-engaging members-associated with the guard edge to limit -theadvancement of aselected cutting edge thereover, said members cooperating with the beveled side'edges adjacent to said selected cutting edge, and means carried by the blade seat and engaging the beveled side edges adjacent to the inoperative edge for advancing the selected cutting edge over the guard edge and preventing retractive movement of the blade. .Y

5. In combination with a razor blade holder comprising a sectional blade seat, a guard edge on one section, blade-engaging members associated Ywith said guard edge, and blade-engaging members including angularly disposed springs carried by the other section, said sections being relatively pivotal,

aA double-edged wafer-type blade having side edges converging toward each cutting edge, the converging edges adjacent to one cutting edge being adapted to wedge themselves between said first-named blade-engaging members, and the converging edges'adjacent to the other Ycutting edge being engageable by said angularlydisposed springs.4 j

6. In combination with a wafer-type .razor blade having beveled side edges, a razor blade holder comprising anadjustable blade seat and including a guard edge, blade stops associated with the guard edgeV to limit the advancement of the front blade edge thereover, and means engaging said beveled side edges forV advancing the blade and securing it in position, said means includingy angularly disposed springs carried by the blade seatand operable upon adjustment thereof. Y Y 4 7 In combination with a wafer-type Vrazor blade having bevel-ed side edges, a razor blade holder comprising a blade seat having a guard edge, said seat comprising a pivoted part movable into and out of the normal plane of the seat, blade stops associated with the guard edge to limit the advancement ofthe front blade edge thereover, and means engaging said beveled side edges for advancing the Y blade and securing it in position, said means including angularly disposed springs carried by said pivoted part and operable upon pivotal movement thereof into normal position.

8. A razor blade holder comprising a'blade seat provided with rip-standing blade engaging flanges which converge in opposite directions to form sets of oppositely converging side edges, one set being shaped to `formblade side engaging channels, and means for withdrawing the other set of side edges from'the plane of the seat, said means including a blade seat part carrying' said other set and hinged to the rest of the blade seat to permitv adjustment thereof out of the plane of the blade. f I

9. A razor holderzcomprising two members pivotally associated togetherrend to end, along a line substantially midway of the holder to present their upper surfaces ina comv mon plane, and together serving as a blade seat, and having means to hold al blade thereon in shaving relation thereto,a handle for the holder associated with one of the members, part of the handle being. adjustable, the other member and said adjustable handle part 'f having camming Vportions which cooperate Lupon the adjustment of said adjustable han- 

